Shelby inmates getting mental health care after delay

Less than a month after Chief Public Defender Stephen Bush flagged delays in transferring Shelby County inmates for treatment of serious mental illness, major improvements were made.

Bush reported in a letter Sept. 23 that 10 people were waiting a total of 795 days for court-ordered treatment at the Western Mental Health Institute in Bolivar, and last week he got confirmation of welcome news.

“Doug’s passion for helping those with mental health and substance abuse issues has made a tremendous impact on the state," Haslam said in a statement. "As a member of my Public Safety Subcabinet, I especially appreciate all he has done to help fight prescription drug abuse and expand and strengthen drug recovery courts in Tennessee. Doug has helped change the lives of some of our most vulnerable citizens, and for that I am grateful.”

Haslam subsequently appointed Marie Williams commissioner. Williams, who served as the department's deputy commissioner since 2011, also worked as director of homeless services for Catholic Charities of Memphis.

Bush says his office is grateful to the department of mental health, Varney and to Williams for taking corrective action in addressing the delays.